Stanford's Andrew Luck (12) watches from the sidelines as the Stanford Cardinal beat the Colorado Bulldogs 48-7 at Stanford Stadium on Saturday October 8, 2011, in Palo Alto, Ca.

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

Stanford's Andrew Luck (12) watches from the sidelines as the...

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Stanford's quarterback Andrew Luck takes a break on the sideline in the final minutes of an NCAA football game against Oregon State in Corvallis, Ore., Saturday, Nov 5, 2011. (AP Photo/Greg Wahl-Stephens)

Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck is shown during the first half of their NCAA college football game against Oregon State in Corvallis, Ore., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011.(AP Photo/Don Ryan)

Photo: Don Ryan, AP

Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck is shown during the first half of...

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CORVALLIS, OR - NOVEMBER 5: Quarterback Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal looks to pass against the Oregon State Beavers on November 5, 2011 at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Oregon. Stanford won the game 38-13. (Photo by Craig Mitchelldyer/Getty Images)

Andrew Luck insists he doesn't have a calendar, nor does he wear a wristwatch. In whatever calendar he keeps in his head, though, he admits he has had Nov. 12 circled since the football schedule was released.

"When you're thinking about the upcoming football season, you're thinking about Oregon," he said Tuesday. "If you want to do something on the West Coast, you've got to beat Oregon. They've been the best team the last couple of years."

Considering that Stanford (48.2 points per game) and Oregon (46.0) are easily the top two scoring teams in the Pac-12, Luck was asked if there will be added pressure on the offense to gun for 50 on Saturday.

"As an offense, you're aware of how proficient their offense is, but I don't think you want to change your mind-set, especially when you've been successful, (or) to put too much pressure on yourself to do something out of character or force something."

Besides being for first place in the Pac-12 North, the game at Stanford Stadium will offer an intriguing display of contrasting offensive styles.

Stanford's pro-style offense likes to play the possession game and pound the ball on the ground with Luck mixing in play-action passes. Speedy Oregon (8-1, 6-0 Pac-12) doesn't care an iota about extending its time of possession; it will run or pass to the end zone as quickly as the Ducks' churning feet can get there. Huddles? Not for the Quackers.

The Cardinal (9-0, 7-0) have ridden Luck's arm, smarts and poise to the No. 4 ranking in the BCS calibrations and the No. 3 spot in the AP poll.

Head coach David Shaw said it's "crazy" to pin too much on Luck in terms of wins and losses, even though Stanford is 29-5 with him as its starter.

"The quarterback isn't playing defense," Shaw said. "He isn't playing special teams. He's not blocking anybody. He's got to play his role. Even though his role is probably the most important, it's still a team game."

Luck won't have one of his favorite receivers because Chris Owusu has been ruled out of the game as a result of Saturday's concussion at Oregon State. Additionally, tight end Zach Ertz is doubtful because of a knee injury, Shaw said.

"It's going to be different," Luck said of Owusu's absence, although the receiver missed half of last season with various injuries. "Chris has been around so long. He's been such a mainstay in our offense."

Freshman Ty Montgomery will start in Owusu's place, and junior Drew Terrell also will see considerable action.

Without Ertz, the offense will rely more on tight ends Coby Fleener and Levine Toilolo (who's fine after being hurt in Corvallis), as well as fullback/tight end Ryan Hewitt.

"It's the nature of football," Luck said. "When you're in November, there's attrition, and guys get hurt. ... You just have to play football and not worry about it."

Luck was disappointed in his play in last year's 52-31 loss to the Ducks in Eugene. Even though he threw for two touchdowns and 341 yards, he threw two interceptions.

"You don't want to get caught on your heels against them," he said. "Once you're on your heels, they keep attacking and really make sure they get you where they want you."